Back in June 6, 2023, after nine months of intensive review and hearings, the Wakefield Conservation Commission (CC) voted unanimously to deny the NEMT vocational school project based on the evidence that the project could not comply with the Wetlands Protection Act.

NEMT promptly appealed the CC decision to the appropriate regulatory agency, MassDEP. Despite our efforts, MassDEP issued a Superseding Order of Conditions which approved the hilltop project. This ruling would permit NEMT to continue its environmental destruction and begin work within the jurisdictional areas…..the wetlands and buffer zones.

Knowing the level of permanent harm this project would cause to the wetlands and environment, we, the 10 Citizens Group, undertook the massive and daunting task of appealing the MassDEP ruling. That appeal is making its way through the Appeals process and we have some excellent and exciting news to share:

The NEMT School District and its counsel, Julie Barry, filed a Motion to Dismiss. This Motion claimed that our appeal had no merit and should be dismissed outright. If we did nothing, the motion to dismiss would be approved, and that would put an end to our Appeal. NEMT could then proceed with the environmental destruction on the hilltop and begin construction of the new roadway and school.

In order to keep our Appeal alive, we were required to reply to that Motion, and we did so on January 22, 2024.  On Monday, February 5, we participated in an official hearing and – here is the exciting part - it was deemed that our Appeal does, indeed, have merit and is allowed to proceed! This is a big deal.

Our hard work and tenacity, as well as the facts, science and evidence paid off. We are now working hard on the next phase of the Appeal – assembling witnesses and sworn testimonies and preparing for oral arguments, which is scheduled to take place on May 9th.

In the meantime, NEMT cannot extend its work beyond the hilltop where they have been blasting, crushing rock and moving earth.

Thank you for your continued support! While we have to remain silent on some aspects of our current work, we will keep you updated as often as we can.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming online auctions!

Onward.